Originally posted by blm7754:
This is a transition year for us. We have lots of unproven talent. That is what is exciting about the upcoming season! We finally get to see the younger guys show what they can do.
Here is where I think we will see the most talent develop on our roster:
- Carlos Hyde: By the end of the season, I bet the farm that he will be widely viewed as one of the top 3 RBs in the league.
- Bruce Ellington: I'm hesitant to call out any WRs here simply because I doubt that our OL will provide for a lot of passing opportunities. But Ellington has the quickness and speed to be a great target for screens and quick hitters that our passing offense will have to rely on.
- Marcus Martin: I know that nobody is excited about our OL, but I think Martin is poised for a big jump this season. He's healthy, has great experience from last year to rely on, and has been given a vote of confidence with the starting job.
- Kenneth Acker and Jaquiski Tart: You could throw D. Johnson into this group to. With these guys and vets like Reid and T. Brock, we could have one of the best secondaries we've had in a long time. Lots of youth. Lots of talent in this position group. We will see multiple studs emerge from this group this season.
- Aaron Lynch and Eli Harold: These guys are legit pass rushers poised for big seasons thanks to our quality depth at DL and DB.
(Note: I would love to put Kaepernick on this list, but I just don't see any big jumps from him until we shore up the OL)
Nice post man!
Here are our first & second year starters (the rest are veteran starters and most with playoff experience) and my analysis:
Ward, Jimmie (2) - Second Year Starter - Reports are he's flying around and showing speed Reid has never seen before. But we've yet to see him. The good news? We don't 'need' him to play Slot CB. The defense is moving to many 3 and 4 S-looks under Mangini and this fits Ward's strengths to a T. We now have others who can slide into the slot depending on the personnel we face (i.e. big & RZ = Johnson, Epic Speed = Reaser, Solid #3 WR = Brock).
Hyde, Carlos (2) - First Year Starter - This dude just has 'it' to me every time he touches the ball in between the tackles, off tackle in the ZBS, pass protection and in the passing game.
Ellington, Bruce (2) - First Year Starter - Here is a slot WR who can be used in various packages out of the backfield, from the slot, etc. Great short-area quickness and has some top end speed as well. So many ways we can use him!
Martin, Marcus (2) - First Year Starter - Natural born C. Now that he's in better shape, playing in a ZBS he loves himself, we may see a big year from him. That experience he got last year did more for him than we'll ever know!
Devey, Jordan (2) - First Year Starter - Older, 27 year old "calm" RG; that is, unless you take a shot at his QB. Martin loves his nastiness and demeanor. Like Martin, the experience he got last year with the Superbowl Champs could pay off dividends but it may take a minute. Also, he'll be playing in a new ZBS as well and early reports via film work and coaches meetings, he's picking things up very quickly. We'll see. If not we have Looney, Thomas, Tiller and maybe Farrell behind him. Also, Kilgore may be back mid-season as well.
Dial, Quinton (2) - First Year Starter - The dude played LDE all TC and then d/t injuries, had to play NT at 6'6".
. He had an outstanding year despite constant shuffling around him on the line and behind him at ILB/OLB. That experience is already paying off as he's slated to be the RDE given his strength and leverage (he learned playing NT). Expect him to be a base down starter with Carradine/AA playing in rotation with him.
Lynch, Aaron (2) - First Year Starter - Just a perfect, natural SAM in the 3-4. Health and conditioning are his only issues. But it sounds like after surgery, he's almost there to his required weight. He's young.
Johnson, Dontae (2) - First Year Starter - How has this outside Giant NOT earned a starting spot even with epic competition with Acker & Reaser and even the veteran-privileged Wright.
Hayne, Jarryd (0) - First Year Starter - Dynamic returner who can also be transformed into a receiving back, short yardage back and perhaps, that H-Back who can learn to crack-back block as needed ala the old Delanie Walker-role.
Pinion, Bradley (0) - First Year Starter - This kid has a chance to be special right out of the gate!
Anyone have any concerns about these first/second year starters with us?
PS: You could consider Carradine a rotational inside pass rushing "starter" as well...like Tartt in the Robber-role in the DIME/NICKEL defense.
[ Edited by NCommand on Sep 2, 2015 at 1:29 PM ]
